How can you set your space up for success?
Transcript
This is episode 5 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for your body, Art Fitness is good for your mind. And you don’t need to be an Olympics level professional artist to benefit from Art Fitness. But what is the point? How do you actually do it? How do you fit it all in? Well, I’m on a mission to help you get Art Fit.
This podcast is brought to you by my Shiny Happy Art Club. I send you a brand new high quality guided Paint Along each month, in acrylic and watercolour, as part of a lovely group of art friends from around the world. So, you can become a Shiny Happy Artist and get Art Fit.
So, we’ve talked about getting your mind in action, with some of these earlier podcasts. Thank you so much for joining in and listening to them. It is now time to think about exactly what environment are you setting up for yourself, when you’re on your way to getting Art Fit. And just like finding active-wear that you feel comfortable in, I want you to think about getting comfortable in your space. So, it’s about setting yourself up to make the best art that you can, and having a bit of a think about how you can design your space, whether you’ve only got a little bit of a space or maybe the end of it, the dining table, maybe you’ve got a small table in the corner of your bedroom. I’ve seen people who have, sort of, set themselves up in their own space there. Of course, you might have a bigger space, and that’s absolutely wonderful. I have a studio now, but I certainly didn’t used to have a studio. I have many memories of painting on the dinner table, after the kids had gone to bed. And then occasional, sort of, eating on the laps in front of the tele, because I still had things over the place, over the dinner table. But if you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, you will make the best art you can make.
So, I want you to think about engaging all of your senses; so there’s touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste, sort of, where are you sitting? So, is your chair comfortable? Is it the right height for the table? Are you comfortable sitting where you are sitting? Think about where you’ve put your paints out on your table as well. So, your paints or your pencils or whatever you’re using; if you’re right-handed, put them on the right-hand side. When I set up for a class, I set everyone up as right-handed, and the left-handed people have to change as soon as they get there, and I walk them through that. But you have the water on the right side; you have my palette, my brushes, my paints, all they’re ready to go. So, it’s as comfortable as possible.
Also, think about things like the light; you need to be able to see well to paint well. So, you don’t want to be stuck in a dark corner of the room. Make sure you can bring in some light. Of course, the best place to draw is in front of a window, during the daytime. But of course, that isn’t always possible. There are light bulbs that replicate what daylight looks like, and you can certainly access those from craft shops. I know a lot of sewers and quilters use that light as well, but it’s probably not needed by most of us, when you’re just sketching to make it part of your life and build your Art Fitness. But do make sure you have enough light where you’re sitting.
The other thing is the temperature of the room. Are you warm enough? Cold enough? So, if you’re not comfortable, that will sort of show itself up in your painting and drawing. So, I guess, if you’ve got no alternative and you’re in a cold room, and your hand’s a bit shaky from the cold; that’s just one, it’s going to come out on the page, and that’s not a terrible thing; it’s just sort of being open to it. But if you can make your space as comfortable, temperature-wise, as possible, by all means, do that.
And light a candle, pour a drink, put the kettle on and have a lovely cuppa; have some light music playing in the background. What would you do, or what can you do in the situation and the location that you have, in your home or your office or where you’re painting. What can you do to make yourself as comfortable as possible?
Even when I’m out and about urban sketching, I’ll be looking for somewhere that I can sit or lean comfortably, for the time that I want to be able to sketch. Because if you’re uncomfortable, you’re going to get a different result. And I’ll say different, not saying that it’s bad, but if you’re setting yourself up to succeed, you’re much more likely to get something that impresses you. And remember, that’s what we’re all about; impressing yourself along the way to Art Fitness, so that you want to continue. It’s those small wins, just like with physical exercise, those small wins are important. Impressing yourself and being comfortable in the space that you’re in, will really help you achieve that too. So, think of your spaces, your active-wear, and set it up, so that you can make your journey to Art Fitness, just as enjoyable and possible, as you possibly can. Okay. So, get comfortable in your space and we’ll talk again, soon.
So, you want to get Art Fit? We’ll find out when the doors to the Shiny Happy Art Club open next. There are 24 online Paint Alongs to choose from when you join, so you’ll definitely find something you love. And now, there are also $15 and $25 subscription options. So, go to www.shinyhappyart.com to pop your name on the waiting list. I look forward to painting with you in the Shiny Happy Art Club. And until then, I’ll be back in your ears with the next episode of the Art Fit Podcast.
